Page 7

He saw the quick glances Sarah shot in his direction when she believed his attention was on the forest. She couldn’t stop looking at him. Although he had never been vain, he liked her attraction to his body.

They reached his home quickly. He opened the door to a rush of fur. Sasha was always excited to see him and this was no exception. His puppy was oblivious to the tension surrounding them as she darted between him and Sarah, licking his leg then bounding back to rub against Sarah.

He watched Sarah smile as she picked Sasha up. The tiny rottweiler continued to squirm in her arms with excitement. “Let’s get her inside.” He ushered Sarah in and shut the door.

Sarah turned to him. “If you want to talk, I would prefer you wear some clothes.” She sat on the couch with Sasha on her lap.

Devon’s cat complained as he held back a smile. Sarah was fighting her attraction. Devon could feel it. Not that he would tell Sarah about that connection. Not yet.

He went to the bedroom and pulled on a pair of jeans. He didn’t bother with a shirt, anxious to get the truth about the attack, having an uneasy feeling as he rejoined Sarah in the living room. She had unzipped her jacket.

“Would you like something to drink?”

She didn’t look up as she continued to stroke the pup curled in her lap. “No thanks.”

He wanted to point out she should be thirsty or sore. “Are you ready to tell me about the attack?”

“There isn’t much to it. Cyril attempted to assault me. I was into my third year of training by then. He ended up on the floor with a gun to his head before security arrested him.”

“He never bit you?” His cougar raged at the thought of his mate defending herself against a predator like Cyril.

“I’d thought he’d bit my arm when I had him in a stranglehold, but when a doctor examined me, there were no marks under the blood.”

“He did bite you, then. You just healed from a minor wound, but the enzyme was in your system.”

“Your bite is that virulent?” Her tone held contempt.

“We’re not sure. Prior to this, no shifter has bitten a woman other than his mate. It might be the result of something they did to Cyril,” he paused. “After the police arrested him...”

“It wasn’t the police it was Kallan security,” she replied as Sasha stretched sleepily in her lap.

His voice hardened. “Kallan?”

Sarah looked up. “Yes.”

Devon attempted to sound casual. “What were you doing on one of Kallan’s properties?”

“I was picking up Brian.” Devon sensed her unease.

“Brian, as in your father,” he pushed.

Her voice turned to ice. “Yes.”

Devon took a calming breath, hoping she couldn’t sense that killing her father was on his bucket list. “Why was he at Kallan Industries?”

“Kevin and my father met before I was born. They’re friends.” There was a hint of truth to what she said. There was also the slick oily feeling of a lie.

“This may be a good time to tell you that shifters can detect lies.”

Her lips pursed. “I didn’t lie.”

“You didn’t exactly tell the truth. If you completely believed what you said I would feel it.”

“I barely know you. Why should I tell you about Brian? I know you hate him.” Her voice was bitter making him wonder if she detested her father more than he did.

“I am less interested in your father than I am in Kevin Kallan.”

She looked surprised. “Kevin? Why?”

“Cyril was held at a Kallan facility.” He sensed her heart rate increase. Felt her emotions spike. It was more intimate than anything he’d experienced before.

“Kevin has many facilities,” she replied coolly.

“We both know you were attacked at the same facility where he was held. Also, that it was quickly abandoned.” He heard her quick intake of breath.

“They said he was a patient in psychiatric care,” she replied.

“Why did your father ask you to the facility?”

“He asked me to pick him up. He was meeting Kevin and wanted to talk to me. I agreed to meet him there as I live close by.”

“You live in Florence?”

“Yes. I was requested for this job. I drove up this morning.”

“By whom?”

“I don’t know.”

He growled. “Do you think it’s a coincidence that you were bitten by a shifter and then sent to a shifter’s lair?”

“I didn’t know anything about shifters!” Her shout startled Sasha awake. Sarah started stroking the dog again. “What are you trying to say?”

“Did your father arrange your attack?” He despised Brian Marksmen and he wouldn’t put it past the man to do anything to bring his daughter in line.

Sarah gently moved Sasha to the couch and stood.

Devon felt her anger. Her eyes held tiny flickers of amber as she approached him.

“My father may be a monster, but he would never let someone hurt me. He doesn’t want me doing this job because of the danger.

Our meeting that day was him trying to convince me to work for him. ”

She tried to step past Devon, but he grabbed her arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“Let go of me or I swear I will shoot you,” Devon had pushed her too far. Given too much information too fast.

He let her go. “I’m sorry Sarah, but I need your help.”

“MY help?”

“Yes. You’re a ranger. Who better to help me find out who is hunting us? Hurting us.” Her reaction told him he was on target. He couldn’t order his mate, but he could appeal to her nature. Her need to do what’s right.

“Where is Cyril now?” She asked. It wasn’t what he’d expected her to say.

“He is in our holding facility. Although he’s beginning to physically heal, he can’t cope with the things he has done.”

She zipped up her jacket. “I’ll interview Cyril before making a decision about helping you.”